INDIGNANT PROTESTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 5, 1 October 1929, Page 5

INDIGNANT PROTESTS

FROM JACKSON STREET, ISLAND BAY.

A protest against the . state of Jackson Street, Island Bay, was made by a deputation of residents to the Works Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon. , . . j. “We are determined to have this street attended to,” said Mr. A. Chceseman, “both as to widening and the formation of footpaths. There are about fifty houses in Jackson Street, -which serves about 500 people, and yet there is no footpath, and the width of the-street in one part is only 12 feet; Just beyond, there is Clyde Street, which has been completely formed and channelled past vacant sections, whilst we, with a full street, cannot even get footpaths. In my case in a space of fllft. the road drops sft. 6inl, so that in Wet weather you are sitting down before you know you are standing up. Provision has been made for work to be done out of an unemployed relief loan, but nothing has been done. Yet I saw that an amount was to be spent on a play area out of one of those loans. I think that streets and footpaths should be made before further recreation grounds are provided.” Mr. A. Wright said that the women •were “getting fed up” with the existing state of things. “Some thought that more consideration should be given to the work,” said Mr. Wright, “but I think we have had too much consideration and no work. We have been before the committee several times, and informed that the matter would be given consideration, but that does not give us a footpath. Only the other day a two-ton lorry was seen hanging over another man’s property. If accidents do occur we -will give evidence, and it will be that the council has been neglecting its duties. It is up to the council to give us some attention.” “I have heard lots of soap-box orators and have heard them talk of suffering humanity,” continued Mr. Wright. “If you see a woman pushing a perambulator 'up Jackson Street you will see suffering humanity with a vengeance!” One lady present said she had been given a permit to erect a motor-garage (on a street encroachment), but it was afterwards withdrawn. At the same time another resident was given a similar permit, and the garage was'now. almost built. Only the back wall was on his property—the rest was on the footpath and road reserve. The acting-chairman (Mr. W. H. Bennett) said that the officers had heard the complaints, and all the matters referred to would be closely inquired into.